Undergarment



June 9,1953 v G. E. R'UTLED'GE 2,

' UNDERGARMENT Y Filed July '7, 1949 I NV ENT OR. Geo/PG: fi'urzsaas,

/Tr'ak/YEY Patented June 9, 1953 UNDERGARIVIENT George E. Rutledge, Chicago, 111., assignor to Munsingwear, Inc., a corporation of Delaware Application July 7, 1949, Serial No. 103,436

Claims. '1

This invention is directed to a mans under- :garment .of-the class of shortsand is particularly directed to such an undergarment of, novel construction designed to give healthful andcomfortably support to the mature male body.

One object of the invention is to provide a mans under-garment incorporating supporting portions adapted to support particular areas of the mature male body.

Another object of the inventionis to provide a mans undergarment which is essentially in the nature of shortsbut alsohaving the properties I of a mans girdle.

.Another objectof the invention is to provide ,a rna-ns undergarment of the class of shorts incorporating-a suspensor-y and other supporting features.

Another object of theyinvention is to provide :a form-fittingmans undergarment of the class of ;shorts having over-all elasticity but wherein the characteristics differ in different vertical and circumferential areas thereof.

Another object of the invention is toprovide a mansundergarment of the class of shorts incorporating rubberor other elastic yarn where,

and. only where, required and comfortable on the -male figure, such elastic yarn variously serving toprovide ready stretch in certain portions of the garment and tension in other portions.

Another object. of the invention is to provide a manfsundergarment of the class of shorts incorporating portions of different fabric texture designed to variously give comfort, support and ventilation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a forrm-fitting manis undergarmentof the class of shorts incorporating a front which is non- Stretchable, or substantially so, in conjunction with elastic other portions designed to tension said front against the male body.

Still another objectof the invention is to provideaform-fitting mans undergarment of the .classof shorts in which the lower area, at least no incorporating rubber yarns. preferably of a close mesh type which when The undergarment shown in the drawing is of a jockey shorts type. The garment body ineludes-a main front portion ill adapted to cover the main abdominal region but terminating at its lower edge above the bottom of the garment so as not to cover the sensitive lower abdominal region. Portion If; functions as a supporting girdle for the main abdominal region, being tensioned thereagainst by elastic other portions of the garment hereafter referred to. Such portion is made of fabric which is inelastic horizontally and slightly elastic vertically. In the embodiment shown portion it is constructed of closely woven fabric which is nonstretchable horizontally but incorporates rubber threads which are relatively resistiveto stretch but which permits some slight stretch in a vertical direction to permit conformation with the contour of the body. It will be noted that girdle portion Id is curved at its'lower edge to generally conform to the abdominal region.

Underlying girdle portion Ml and secured at its .upper edge thereto by a flat butt seam i2 is a lower front portion l l adapted to cover the lower abdominal region. To insure comfort lower portion I l is made of easily stretchable knitted fab- Snch fabric is stretched on the body will provide fabric pores designed to give ventilation over the lower abdomen.

The garment includes opposite side portions it which are secured to the outer edges of both the upper and lower front portions it and it by lapped or butt seams it. Such side portions are preferablyconstructed of plain or rib knit fabric incorporating rubber yarns designed to exert tension on the upper front portion it, horizontally.

Such sideportions will preferably be inelastic, or substantially so, in a vertical direction. Preferably theside portions will be less easily stretchable horizontally than the lower front portion l which is capable of stretching both horizontally andvertically.

A suspensory pocket portion id is located in the lower central front portion of the garment. The same in its upper portion underlies the central front portion A5 of the lower abdominal portion I l and is secured at its opposite sides thereto by lines of verticalstitching it. The upper edge of 'suspensory pocket portion M has seamed thereto an elastic tape it which serves to hold the edge flat and under horizontal tension when the garment is on the body but which permits the upper area of the pocket to be pulled downwardly. A'hori-zontally normally closed fly opening is thus provided with the underlying central front lower abdominal portion I5. The lower margin I9 of said portion I5 is formed with closely knit plain wales instead of being of mesh knit and incorporating rubber yarns. Such margin i9 tends to hold portion I5 fiat against the body but is capable of stretching upwardly for fly opening purposes.

Suspensory pocket portion I4 when on the body is designed to provide a definite loosely fitting supporting pocket. It is preferably made of coarse open mesh knit fabric which is readily distensible both vertically and horizontally to conform to the shape of the body parts. Preferably the same is made of very soft inelastic yarn such as cotton for reasons of comfort. It may, as shown, include a narrow area of elastic rubber courses I8 intermediate its upper portion above the pocket forming area to cooperate with edging tape I! in maintaining the upper area flat against the body.

As will be understood from Fig. 4 the pocket forming lower area of portion I4 is located below lower margin I9 of member I5. Knit integrally with the rear end of pocket portion I4 is a crotch portion of soft easily stretchable fabric adapted to insure comfort in the crotch area, particularly when walking. Such crotch portion is preferably composed of mesh knit fabric formed of elastic yarns and stretchable both lengthwise and horizontally. The rear area 2! of crotch portion 20 may, if desired, be of open mesh knitting and composed of cotton or other inelastic yarns. In any event crotch portion 20 is designed to smoothly fit the crotch area of the body and avoid rubbing friction which might produce chafing.

The rear portion 22 of the garment is composed of elastic fabric knit of rubber yarn and is preferably of medium mesh fabric adapted to provide porosity and ventilation when the garment is worn. Such back portion should be capable of vertical and horizontal stretch. The same is seamed at to and will coact with side portions I3 to horizontally tension front main abdominal portion [0. The vertical stretch of rear portion 22 will insure proper fit on the body and insure against strain and binding, particularly in the crotch area, when the wearer bends over or sits down. If desired a pair of spaced vertical stripes 23 of closely knit fabric may be formed integrally with the rear portion on opposite sides of the center line which will serve to resist undue stretch of the back portion and hold the fit.

The lower end of back portion 22 is secured in a fiat smooth butt seam 23' to the rear portion 2| of crotch portion 20.

Because of its ready stretchability it is desirable to terminate back section 22 below the upper end of the garment providing the upper back area with portion 24. Such upper back portion 24 is preferably formed of closely knit elastic yarn and is designed to stretch horizontally to provide a greater degree of tension circumferentially in the waist area of the body. The lower edge of portion 24 is seamed to the upper edge of main body portion 22 and vertical seams connect both such back portions with the rear edges of side portions I3.

Extending around the upper edge of the gar-.

the side edges of suspenso-ry pocket portion l4 and crotch portion 20 are shaped to form suitable leg openings and such edges are bound with elastic tape 28 adapted to embrace the legs.

It will be understood that the garment is designed to closely fit the body by reason of the elastic portions thereof. A substantial circumferential tension is exerted by the main abdominal portion I 0 for supporting purposes. The suspensory pocket is free from either vertical or horizontal tension both because of its own loosely fitting character and the ready stretchability of crotch portion 20. The lower front abdominal portion II will closely fit the lower abdominal area but without exerting any appreciable tension thereon in any direction. The upper portion of the suspensory pocket portion I4 would normally lie flat against the front central area I5 of the lower abdominal portion II.

Thus I have provided a garment comprising form-fitting shorts embodying appropriate girdle and suspensory supporting features. The employment of different types of fabric and different yarns in the different portions of the garment are designed to insure overall comfort of the garment. In some portions it will be apparent that ready stretchability is obtained while other portions are designed to produce tension. The ventilation provided by the mesh character of the fabric in the lower area of the garment is considered a desirable feature because of its formfitting character but it i within the scope of the invention to construct any or all of the lower abdominal suspensory pouch, crotch and rear portions of the garment of closely knit fabric where ventilation is not desired. The shape and arrangement of the different portions is also subject to variation. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be determined from the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An undergarment of the class of shorts comprising a tubular garment body adapted to embrace the abdominal, side, back and crotch'areas of the body, said garment body including a circumferentially substantially non-stretchable and longitudinally stretchable front girdle portion adapted to engage the main abdominal region and terminating in a lower edge adapted to be located in upwardly spaced relation to the crotch, and a circumferentially and longitudinally readi- 1y stretchable lower front portion incorporating elastic yarn adapted to engage the lower abdominal region with a relatively low tension and secured at its upper edge to the lower edge of said front girdle portion.

2. An undergarment of the class of shortscomprising a tubular garment body adapted to embrace the abdominal, side, back and crotch areas of the body, said garment body including a circumferentialiy substantially non-stretchable front girdle portion adapted to engage the main abdominal region with high tension and terminating in a convex lower edge adapted to be lo cated in upwardly spaced relation to the crotch, and an elastic lower front portion of two-way stretch fabric adapted to engage the lower abdominal region with relatively low tension and having a concave upper edge joined to said lower edge of said front girdle portion.

3. An undergarment of the class of shorts comprising a tubular garment'body adapted to embrace the abdominal, side, back and crotch areas of the body, said garment. body including a v circumferentially substantially non-stretchable ."imntsi dle portion-adapt d to nga e theramaih abdomin ltegi znand terminatin ma lowe d adapted to -bevlocatod-ln upwardly spaced rela- 1 tion tothe crotch, anda lower front abortion-bf "two-way stretch fabric incorporating elastic'yarn recon-red at its :upperedge to, the lower edgelofithe front girdle. portionnand adaptodto engage the :lowenabdominal region with relatively low tension. An under arment of. the classoi shorts .com

"prising a tubular: garment body adapted to-embrace-the abdominal, side, back and crotch areas of the. body, said garment body including circumferentially stretchable elastic back and .side

---portions incorporating elastic yarn, acircumferentially substantially non-stretchable front girdle portion connecting with 'said'side portions and adapted to be ciroumferentially .tensioncdlby saidback and side portions against theniain .:;.abdomina1 region, said front girdle portion terminating in a lower edge adaptedxto, be located in: upwardly spaced relation to the crotch, and a oircumferentially readily. stretchable elasticilower firont portion connecting at'its-edges. with said side and "front girdle portionsand adaptedto engage the'lowerabdominal region-with relawtiyely lowtensionandhaving a greater degree of elasticity than saidback andsido portions.

5. An undergarmentof the class of shorts com- =prisinga tubular garment body adapted to-embrace the abdominal, side, back and crotch areas of the "body,;said garment body including'a circumferentially substantially non-stretchable front girdle-portion adapted to engage and sup- -*portthe main-abdominal region and terminat connecting'with said lower front portionfran elastic crotch portion incorporating elasticl'yarn oonnecting with the rear of said pouchyportion, a back portion connecting with. the rear of said orotoh portion, and sideportions-connecting with saidfront'girdle and lowerfront portions, said baclc'and side portions incorporating elastlo'yarn andbeing adapted-to oiroumferentiallytension said front. girdle portion, and. said lower fi ont @portion being more readily stretchable =-clrcumferentia l'ly than said back andslde portions.

6. An undergarment of the class of shorts comprising a tubular garment body adapted to embrace the abdominal, side, back and crotch areas of the body, said garment body including a circumferentially substantially non-stretchable front girdle portion adapted to engage the main abdominal region. and terminating in a lower edge adapted to be located in upwardly spaced relation to the crotch, a lower front portion of elastic mesh fabric adapted to engage the lower abdominal region and being secured at its upper edge to the lower edge of said front girdle portion and a suspensory pouch portion of open textured ventilating fabric, said pouch portion having an upper portion overlapping said lower front portion and terminating in a free upper edge and having its sides secured to said lower front portion.

7. An undergarment of the class of shorts comprising a tubular garment body adapted tofembrace the abdominal, side, back and crotch areas of the body, said garment body including a two-- wayrstnetoh lastic back portion, a-circum'fer- -'entiallysubstantially non-stretchable front girdle xportiqn adapted to. engage- ;the main abdominal regionand terminating in a lower edge, adapted to be located inupwardly'spaced relation to the crotch,-. a: two -.way. stretch- .elastic lower zfront portion adapted to engage the lower abdominal region and secured atiits upperedge to the lower edge of saidfront girdle portion, circumferentiallystretchable side portions interconnecting: the front girdle and lower front portionswith said back portion, an elastic, fabric crotch section at the bottom of the garment. body, and a loosely fitting suspensory pouch portion connected between said lower front portion and said crotch section.

an: bifurcated garment for molding the abdominalbodyarea: and embracing the side, back andcrotoh body areas comprising, an upper .20"

substantially to the sides of the abdominal area wand formed of oircumferentially substantially mainiront portion. for overlying andeX-tending non stret'chable: and vertically stretchable material with the upper edge" substantially horizontaland thelowsr edge being generally con vex, a lower frontportion for overlying the lowermost portion of the-abdominal area and formed of readily stretchable material with than-poor edge securedto-said convex lower'edge of-said upper main front portion and portions of its lower edge. defining portions of leg" openings, a side and back portion joining the sides of said upper main: front portion and thesides of said lowerifront portion for overlying the lower. side and back bodyareas with the upper' edge substanti-ally horizontal and portions of thev lower edge constitutingcontinuaticns of said 1ower edge of said lower frontportion todefine further said leg openings, the upper'portionof said side and back portion including a horizontally extending elastic :section .for applying circumferentially -relative'ly high tension to said sides of said upper 'main front portion thereby to applysubstantial .bompressive force to the abdominalarea and the lower portion of saidside and. back portion bein g- -formed of readily'stretchable material to conform readily and closely 'with the body in oitherra sitting .or a's-tanding position and hold said upper main frontportionand said elastic section against working upwardly of the body, 1'.fl.1'ldawcrotoh-r portion formed of elastic material and securedat the rearedgezto said lower edge of-s said-aside and be oh portion with the sides constituting continuations of said lower edge portions of said lower front portion and of said lower edge of said side and back portion to complete the definition of said leg openings.

9. A bifurcated garment for molding the abdominal body area and embracing the side, back and crotch areas comprising, an upper main front portion for overlying and extending substantially to the sides of the abdominal area and formed of circumferentially substantially nonstretchable and vertically stretchable material with the upper edge substantially horizontal and the lower edge being generally convex, a lower front portion for overlying the lowermost portion of the abdominal area and formed of readily stretchable material with the upper edge secured to said convex lower edge of said upper main front portion and the lower edge near its ends defining portions of leg openings, a side and back portion joining the sides of said upper main front portion and the sides of said lower front portion for overlying the lower side and back body areas with the upper edge substantially horizontal and portions of the lower edge constituting continuations of said lower edge of said lower front portion to define further said leg openings, the upper portion of said side and back portion including a horizontally extending elastic section for applying circumferentially relatively high tension to said sides of said upper main front portion thereby to apply substantial compressive force to the abdominal area and the lower portion of said side and back portion being formed of readily stretchable material to conform readily and closely with the body in either a sitting or a standing position and hold said upper main front portion and said elastic section against working upwardly of the body, a loose fitting suspensory pouch portion having the upper parts of its sides secured to intermediate vertical parts of said lower front portion and the lower portions of its sides constituting continuations of said lower edge of said lower front portion to define further said leg openings and the upper edge unattached to the juxtaposed central part of said lower front portion, and a crotch portion formed of elastic material and secured at one edge to the lower edge of said pouch portion and at the other edge to said lower edge of said side and back portion with the sides constituting continuations of said lower portions of said sides of said pouch portion and of said lower edge of said side and back portion to complete the definition of said leg openings.

10. A bifurcated garment for molding the abdominal body area and embracing the side, back and crotch body areas comprising, an upper main front portion for overlying and extending substantially to the sides of the abdominal area and formed of circumferentially substantially non-stretchable and vertically stretchable material with the upper edge substantially horizontal and the lower edge being generally convex, a lower front portion for overlying the lowermost portion of the abdominal area and formed of readily stretchable material with the upper edge secured to said convex lower edge-of said upper main front portion and the lower edge near its ends defining portions of leg openings, a side and back portion joining the sides of said upper main front portion and the sides of said lower front portion for overlying the lower side and back body areas with the upper edge substantially horizontal and portions of the lower edge constituting continuations of said lower edge of said lower portion to define further said leg openings, the upper portion of said side and back portion including a horizontally extending elastic section.

for applying circumferentially relatively high tension to said sides of said upper main front portion thereby to apply substantial compressive force to the abdominal area and the lower portion of said side and back portion being formed of readily stretchable material to conform readily and closely with the body in either a sitting or a standing position and hold said upper main front portion and said elastic section against working upwardly of the body, the tension applied by said elastic section to said upper main front portion being greater than the tension applied thereto by said lower portion of said side and back portion whereby the required compressive force is applied to the abdominal area while said lower portion is readily stretchable to conform'to various body positions, a loose fitting suspensory pouch portion having the upper parts of its sides secured to intermediate vertical parts of said lower front portion and the lower portions of its sides constituting continuations 'of said lower edge of said lower front portion to define further said leg openings and the upper edge unattached to the juxtaposed central part of said lower front portion, and a crotch portion formed of elastic material and secured at one edge to the lower edge of said pouch portion and at the other edge to said lower edge of said side and back portion with the sides constituting continuations of said lower portions of said sides of said pouch portion and of said lower edge of said side and back portion to complete the definition of said leg openings.

GEORGE E. RUTLEDGE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

